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English entrance exam, 2015 E.C. (2023)

Real questions from the Grade 12 university entrance exam in English, as students sat it in 2015 E.C. Every question comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation.

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Both streams
Who sits it
2015 E.C. (2023)
Exam year
106 questions with answers
In this set

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Answer each question yourself before opening the answer. The explanations point to the exact textbook section, so you know which page to reread when you miss one.

Question 1

PASSAGE: Creating The Africa We Want Africa could be labeled as the supplier of mostly unprocessed products to the world. It is crystal clear that the continent in its every part has the potential to provide the most important resources to the globe. One cannot deny that Africa still has untapped natural resources and human resources even after the long and bloody experience of civilization. It is the argument of the writer that the Africa we want can be materialized through intra- continental trade integration. Such a move, according to many commentators, is believed to help the continent to take the place it deserves. Needless to say, continents, apart from Africa, especially those in the northern hemisphere, have developed a special type of system that unites one another and fosters their development in every aspect. These continents have exerted their efforts to achieve their goals though Africa could not achieve what the rest of the continents have accomplished; it is undeniable that Africa has sacrificed its opportunities for the sake of the rest to prosper uninterruptedly. It was a chewy route for Africa to find its way to success. It is the fact that in order to change the course of the system, African nations have designed special strategies to achieve their vision to create Africa we want through the agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 of the African Union. In this long- term agenda, African nations, through their leaders have signed multiple agreements to meet the desired goals. Some of the notable measures that followed those multiple agreements are the points of focus of this paragraph. In this respect, contrary to the previous way of doing trade, the report noted that Africa has taken tangible actions to secure greater intra- continental trade including the adoption of an action plan to boost intra- African trade and the agreement ratified by the states. In addition the ratified agreement will open the door to eliminate 90% of tariffs in goods. It is also expected to liberalize trade in services gradually, and to create a single African market of one billion consumers with a total gross domestic product of more than 3 trillion. Such tangible actions will bring additional benefits to the people of Africa including job creation and economic growth. Again, the above benefits will unlock the long awaited continent's sustainable industrialization and development. Moreover, in recent years, regional economic partnerships have been strengthened. Accordingly, the Tripartite Free Trade Area, which incorporates three regional economic communities namely, COMESA, EAC and SADC, was officially launched in June 2015 in Sharm el- Sheikh Egypt with the aim of fostering integration and helping member states to circumvent the challenges arising from overlapping memberships in regional economic communities. As of July 2022, there were 22 signatories to the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement among the 29 states of the three regional communities, and 11 states had ratified it. Three additional ratifications are required to operationalize the Tripartite Free Trade Area. To achieve what has been planned and see the Africa we want, every stake holder coupled with the people of Africa must work for the unified goals. Organizations such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) confirmed that it will provide technical support and other necessary analysis in order to enhance the initiatives mentioned above. QUESTION: The author's main purpose is to:

A.create awareness on the part of the reader that Africa is a continent with abundant, yet untapped resources.
B.ignite a feeling of regret in the reader's mind as to how Africa's resources were looted by the west.
C.argue in favor of the idea that the Africa we all dream to see can be materialized through intra continental integration.
D.appreciate the efforts exerted by some regional organizations like COMESA, EAC and SADC in fostering economic integration.

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C argue in favor of the idea that the Africa we all dream to see can be materialized through intra continental integration.

Why

The writer states his aim inside the passage: It is the argument of the writer that the Africa we want can be materialized through intra-continental trade integration. Everything after that sentence supports the same argument.

A and D are true details, but they are used as support, not as the purpose. B is never said in the passage.

Rule: For a main purpose question, find the sentence where the writer says what he is arguing, then check that the rest of the text supports it.

Question 2

PASSAGE: Creating The Africa We Want Africa could be labeled as the supplier of mostly unprocessed products to the world. It is crystal clear that the continent in its every part has the potential to provide the most important resources to the globe. One cannot deny that Africa still has untapped natural resources and human resources even after the long and bloody experience of civilization. It is the argument of the writer that the Africa we want can be materialized through intra- continental trade integration. Such a move, according to many commentators, is believed to help the continent to take the place it deserves. Needless to say, continents, apart from Africa, especially those in the northern hemisphere, have developed a special type of system that unites one another and fosters their development in every aspect. These continents have exerted their efforts to achieve their goals though Africa could not achieve what the rest of the continents have accomplished; it is undeniable that Africa has sacrificed its opportunities for the sake of the rest to prosper uninterruptedly. It was a chewy route for Africa to find its way to success. It is the fact that in order to change the course of the system, African nations have designed special strategies to achieve their vision to create Africa we want through the agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 of the African Union. In this long- term agenda, African nations, through their leaders have signed multiple agreements to meet the desired goals. Some of the notable measures that followed those multiple agreements are the points of focus of this paragraph. In this respect, contrary to the previous way of doing trade, the report noted that Africa has taken tangible actions to secure greater intra- continental trade including the adoption of an action plan to boost intra- African trade and the agreement ratified by the states. In addition the ratified agreement will open the door to eliminate 90% of tariffs in goods. It is also expected to liberalize trade in services gradually, and to create a single African market of one billion consumers with a total gross domestic product of more than 3 trillion. Such tangible actions will bring additional benefits to the people of Africa including job creation and economic growth. Again, the above benefits will unlock the long awaited continent's sustainable industrialization and development. Moreover, in recent years, regional economic partnerships have been strengthened. Accordingly, the Tripartite Free Trade Area, which incorporates three regional economic communities namely, COMESA, EAC and SADC, was officially launched in June 2015 in Sharm el- Sheikh Egypt with the aim of fostering integration and helping member states to circumvent the challenges arising from overlapping memberships in regional economic communities. As of July 2022, there were 22 signatories to the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement among the 29 states of the three regional communities, and 11 states had ratified it. Three additional ratifications are required to operationalize the Tripartite Free Trade Area. To achieve what has been planned and see the Africa we want, every stake holder coupled with the people of Africa must work for the unified goals. Organizations such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) confirmed that it will provide technical support and other necessary analysis in order to enhance the initiatives mentioned above. QUESTION: Which of the following would be the best replacement for the word chewy in paragraph 2 of this passage?

A.tough
B.sickening
C.boring
D.inaccessible

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A tough

Why

Food that is chewy is hard work to eat. The writer uses the word for a road, so he means the way to success was hard.

tough carries the same idea of something difficult. Boring is about being dull, and sickening is about disgust, so neither matches a hard journey.

Rule: When a word is used outside its normal area (food word used for a road), keep the feeling of the word and drop the literal meaning.

Question 3

PASSAGE: Creating The Africa We Want Africa could be labeled as the supplier of mostly unprocessed products to the world. It is crystal clear that the continent in its every part has the potential to provide the most important resources to the globe. One cannot deny that Africa still has untapped natural resources and human resources even after the long and bloody experience of civilization. It is the argument of the writer that the Africa we want can be materialized through intra- continental trade integration. Such a move, according to many commentators, is believed to help the continent to take the place it deserves. Needless to say, continents, apart from Africa, especially those in the northern hemisphere, have developed a special type of system that unites one another and fosters their development in every aspect. These continents have exerted their efforts to achieve their goals though Africa could not achieve what the rest of the continents have accomplished; it is undeniable that Africa has sacrificed its opportunities for the sake of the rest to prosper uninterruptedly. It was a chewy route for Africa to find its way to success. It is the fact that in order to change the course of the system, African nations have designed special strategies to achieve their vision to create Africa we want through the agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 of the African Union. In this long- term agenda, African nations, through their leaders have signed multiple agreements to meet the desired goals. Some of the notable measures that followed those multiple agreements are the points of focus of this paragraph. In this respect, contrary to the previous way of doing trade, the report noted that Africa has taken tangible actions to secure greater intra- continental trade including the adoption of an action plan to boost intra- African trade and the agreement ratified by the states. In addition the ratified agreement will open the door to eliminate 90% of tariffs in goods. It is also expected to liberalize trade in services gradually, and to create a single African market of one billion consumers with a total gross domestic product of more than 3 trillion. Such tangible actions will bring additional benefits to the people of Africa including job creation and economic growth. Again, the above benefits will unlock the long awaited continent's sustainable industrialization and development. Moreover, in recent years, regional economic partnerships have been strengthened. Accordingly, the Tripartite Free Trade Area, which incorporates three regional economic communities namely, COMESA, EAC and SADC, was officially launched in June 2015 in Sharm el- Sheikh Egypt with the aim of fostering integration and helping member states to circumvent the challenges arising from overlapping memberships in regional economic communities. As of July 2022, there were 22 signatories to the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement among the 29 states of the three regional communities, and 11 states had ratified it. Three additional ratifications are required to operationalize the Tripartite Free Trade Area. To achieve what has been planned and see the Africa we want, every stake holder coupled with the people of Africa must work for the unified goals. Organizations such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) confirmed that it will provide technical support and other necessary analysis in order to enhance the initiatives mentioned above. QUESTION: In paragraph 1 line 1 the writer says 'Africa could be labeled as the supplier of mostly unprocessed products to the world.' Which word do you think best describes the where about of Africa in the global economy?

A.naive
B.destitute
C.traditional
D.conservative

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C traditional

Why

The line says Africa mostly sells products that are not processed. Selling raw materials instead of manufactured goods is the old way of trading.

traditional names that old economic role. Destitute means extremely poor, which the passage denies, because it says Africa is rich in untapped resources.

Question 4

PASSAGE: Creating The Africa We Want Africa could be labeled as the supplier of mostly unprocessed products to the world. It is crystal clear that the continent in its every part has the potential to provide the most important resources to the globe. One cannot deny that Africa still has untapped natural resources and human resources even after the long and bloody experience of civilization. It is the argument of the writer that the Africa we want can be materialized through intra- continental trade integration. Such a move, according to many commentators, is believed to help the continent to take the place it deserves. Needless to say, continents, apart from Africa, especially those in the northern hemisphere, have developed a special type of system that unites one another and fosters their development in every aspect. These continents have exerted their efforts to achieve their goals though Africa could not achieve what the rest of the continents have accomplished; it is undeniable that Africa has sacrificed its opportunities for the sake of the rest to prosper uninterruptedly. It was a chewy route for Africa to find its way to success. It is the fact that in order to change the course of the system, African nations have designed special strategies to achieve their vision to create Africa we want through the agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 of the African Union. In this long- term agenda, African nations, through their leaders have signed multiple agreements to meet the desired goals. Some of the notable measures that followed those multiple agreements are the points of focus of this paragraph. In this respect, contrary to the previous way of doing trade, the report noted that Africa has taken tangible actions to secure greater intra- continental trade including the adoption of an action plan to boost intra- African trade and the agreement ratified by the states. In addition the ratified agreement will open the door to eliminate 90% of tariffs in goods. It is also expected to liberalize trade in services gradually, and to create a single African market of one billion consumers with a total gross domestic product of more than 3 trillion. Such tangible actions will bring additional benefits to the people of Africa including job creation and economic growth. Again, the above benefits will unlock the long awaited continent's sustainable industrialization and development. Moreover, in recent years, regional economic partnerships have been strengthened. Accordingly, the Tripartite Free Trade Area, which incorporates three regional economic communities namely, COMESA, EAC and SADC, was officially launched in June 2015 in Sharm el- Sheikh Egypt with the aim of fostering integration and helping member states to circumvent the challenges arising from overlapping memberships in regional economic communities. As of July 2022, there were 22 signatories to the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement among the 29 states of the three regional communities, and 11 states had ratified it. Three additional ratifications are required to operationalize the Tripartite Free Trade Area. To achieve what has been planned and see the Africa we want, every stake holder coupled with the people of Africa must work for the unified goals. Organizations such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) confirmed that it will provide technical support and other necessary analysis in order to enhance the initiatives mentioned above. QUESTION: The title Creating the Africa We Want implies

A.we can take Africa to a better position.
B.Africa is in the way we aspire it to be.
C.Economic integration endeavors are taken place in Africa.
D.If every stake holder works for a better Africa, we can make the Africa we want.

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D If every stake holder works for a better Africa, we can make the Africa we want.

Why

The word Creating in the title means the Africa we want does not exist yet and has to be built. The last paragraph says every stake holder and the people of Africa must work for the unified goals.

D carries both parts: the joint work, and the result. A is close, but it drops the condition of who must do the work, which is exactly what the title implies.

Question 5

PASSAGE: Creating The Africa We Want Africa could be labeled as the supplier of mostly unprocessed products to the world. It is crystal clear that the continent in its every part has the potential to provide the most important resources to the globe. One cannot deny that Africa still has untapped natural resources and human resources even after the long and bloody experience of civilization. It is the argument of the writer that the Africa we want can be materialized through intra- continental trade integration. Such a move, according to many commentators, is believed to help the continent to take the place it deserves. Needless to say, continents, apart from Africa, especially those in the northern hemisphere, have developed a special type of system that unites one another and fosters their development in every aspect. These continents have exerted their efforts to achieve their goals though Africa could not achieve what the rest of the continents have accomplished; it is undeniable that Africa has sacrificed its opportunities for the sake of the rest to prosper uninterruptedly. It was a chewy route for Africa to find its way to success. It is the fact that in order to change the course of the system, African nations have designed special strategies to achieve their vision to create Africa we want through the agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 of the African Union. In this long- term agenda, African nations, through their leaders have signed multiple agreements to meet the desired goals. Some of the notable measures that followed those multiple agreements are the points of focus of this paragraph. In this respect, contrary to the previous way of doing trade, the report noted that Africa has taken tangible actions to secure greater intra- continental trade including the adoption of an action plan to boost intra- African trade and the agreement ratified by the states. In addition the ratified agreement will open the door to eliminate 90% of tariffs in goods. It is also expected to liberalize trade in services gradually, and to create a single African market of one billion consumers with a total gross domestic product of more than 3 trillion. Such tangible actions will bring additional benefits to the people of Africa including job creation and economic growth. Again, the above benefits will unlock the long awaited continent's sustainable industrialization and development. Moreover, in recent years, regional economic partnerships have been strengthened. Accordingly, the Tripartite Free Trade Area, which incorporates three regional economic communities namely, COMESA, EAC and SADC, was officially launched in June 2015 in Sharm el- Sheikh Egypt with the aim of fostering integration and helping member states to circumvent the challenges arising from overlapping memberships in regional economic communities. As of July 2022, there were 22 signatories to the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement among the 29 states of the three regional communities, and 11 states had ratified it. Three additional ratifications are required to operationalize the Tripartite Free Trade Area. To achieve what has been planned and see the Africa we want, every stake holder coupled with the people of Africa must work for the unified goals. Organizations such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) confirmed that it will provide technical support and other necessary analysis in order to enhance the initiatives mentioned above. QUESTION: The underlined word circumvent in the fourth paragraph most nearly means

A.beat
B.win
C.ignore
D.abandon

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A beat

Why

To circumvent a problem is to find a way round it and get past it. In the passage, member states want to get past the trouble caused by belonging to several regional groups at once.

beat keeps that sense of overcoming. Ignore is wrong because the states are dealing with the problem, not paying no attention to it.

Question 6

PASSAGE: Creating The Africa We Want Africa could be labeled as the supplier of mostly unprocessed products to the world. It is crystal clear that the continent in its every part has the potential to provide the most important resources to the globe. One cannot deny that Africa still has untapped natural resources and human resources even after the long and bloody experience of civilization. It is the argument of the writer that the Africa we want can be materialized through intra- continental trade integration. Such a move, according to many commentators, is believed to help the continent to take the place it deserves. Needless to say, continents, apart from Africa, especially those in the northern hemisphere, have developed a special type of system that unites one another and fosters their development in every aspect. These continents have exerted their efforts to achieve their goals though Africa could not achieve what the rest of the continents have accomplished; it is undeniable that Africa has sacrificed its opportunities for the sake of the rest to prosper uninterruptedly. It was a chewy route for Africa to find its way to success. It is the fact that in order to change the course of the system, African nations have designed special strategies to achieve their vision to create Africa we want through the agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 of the African Union. In this long- term agenda, African nations, through their leaders have signed multiple agreements to meet the desired goals. Some of the notable measures that followed those multiple agreements are the points of focus of this paragraph. In this respect, contrary to the previous way of doing trade, the report noted that Africa has taken tangible actions to secure greater intra- continental trade including the adoption of an action plan to boost intra- African trade and the agreement ratified by the states. In addition the ratified agreement will open the door to eliminate 90% of tariffs in goods. It is also expected to liberalize trade in services gradually, and to create a single African market of one billion consumers with a total gross domestic product of more than 3 trillion. Such tangible actions will bring additional benefits to the people of Africa including job creation and economic growth. Again, the above benefits will unlock the long awaited continent's sustainable industrialization and development. Moreover, in recent years, regional economic partnerships have been strengthened. Accordingly, the Tripartite Free Trade Area, which incorporates three regional economic communities namely, COMESA, EAC and SADC, was officially launched in June 2015 in Sharm el- Sheikh Egypt with the aim of fostering integration and helping member states to circumvent the challenges arising from overlapping memberships in regional economic communities. As of July 2022, there were 22 signatories to the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement among the 29 states of the three regional communities, and 11 states had ratified it. Three additional ratifications are required to operationalize the Tripartite Free Trade Area. To achieve what has been planned and see the Africa we want, every stake holder coupled with the people of Africa must work for the unified goals. Organizations such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) confirmed that it will provide technical support and other necessary analysis in order to enhance the initiatives mentioned above. QUESTION: In the last paragraph of the passage the writer says, 'to achieve what has been planned and see the Africa we want, every stake holder, coupled with the people of Africa, must work for the unified goals.' which of the following statements would the above quotation most likely support?

A.Stake holders are working closely with the people of Africa.
B.The writer thinks the Africa he wants will materialize sooner than later.
C.A concerted effort from all concerned bodies is mandatory if Africa is to develop as desired.
D.Without integration, Africa will remain poor.

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C A concerted effort from all concerned bodies is mandatory if Africa is to develop as desired.

Why

The quotation has two parts: every stake holder, coupled with the people of Africa (everybody together) and must work (a requirement).

C repeats both parts: a joint effort, and it is mandatory. A turns it into a fact that is already happening, but the writer is calling for it, not reporting it.

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English papers from other years

2018 E.C. (2026)2017 E.C. (2025)2016 E.C. (2024)2014 E.C. (2022)2013 E.C. (2021)2005 E.C. (2013)

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